Kingman City to develop in-house public art master plan after commission vote

Kingman City’s Economic Development Advisory Commission voted to authorize staff to proceed with the creation of a public art master plan, following a presentation from new economic development project manager Jeremy Palmer.

Palmer told commissioners the ASU public art playbook provided a useful starting point but left gaps in maintenance plans, inventories and the long-term funding approach. He said consultant estimates for a comprehensive outside plan were in the $60,000–$80,000 range, while an in-house effort would be much less costly. "Our recommendation would be to do it in-house," Palmer said, adding that the ASU report supplies roughly 25% of needed material and that staff would complete additional research, stakeholder interviews and cross-department coordination.

Commissioners pressed on cost, scope and timing. Palmer described the proposed internal timeline as paced to align draft deliveries with commission meetings and said staff could aim for a draft by June if the commission gives direction to proceed. Commissioners emphasized that the plan should include maintenance, liability and development-code considerations to ensure durability and enforceability.

A motion to authorize staff to move forward with investigation and creation of an arts/public-places master plan, with engagement across departments and eventual council review, was made and seconded; commissioners indicated approval by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will proceed with in-house development of the master plan, coordinate checkpoints with the commission and council, and return with drafts and cost estimates for any work that would require outside procurement.